Music can help us begin to heal

The pandemic has left many people feeling uncertain, isolated, anxious and depressed. Listening to and creating music can help promote healing, says Regina musician and art therapist Amanda Scandrett. (Photo: Getty Images)

BY HILARY KLASSEN

Freedom from COVID-19 restrictions in Saskatchewan feels incredibly sweet after 17 months of life in the pandemic. But freedom from the impacts of COVID is not as simple as removing a mask or flipping a page on the calendar. It takes time to heal from those unprecedented impacts. “Being under high stress or trauma can be felt long after the pandemic is under control,” says Amanda Scandrett.

A musician and art therapist, Scandrett is part of indie pop band, Library Voices Regina, and has performed around the world. As a sessional lecturer within the University of Regina Faculty of Education, she teaches arts education teachers (or teachers in general) how to teach arts education.

People the world over have suffered isolation, uncertainty, fear of the unknown, depression, anxiety and trauma because of COVID. Experts tell us that people can develop PTSD months or even years after a trauma. “At the very least we’ve all experienced high amounts of stress in some way or another, whether that’s a change to routine, loss of a job, lost loved ones or even just missing loved ones that are one province over,” Scandrett says.

Music helps calm stress, anxiety and trauma responses. It can uplift a depressed state of mind. With a little intention, music can become a healer. “Restoration and self care are really important and music is a very helpful and significant way that we can support ourselves,” Scandrett says.

Start by simply listening mindfully to music. Listen for the different layers in the music or the different aspects of the song. “We can do that with any kind of music. It can be ambient meditative music — but it can also be any kind of music that you like, especially if it brings you joy,” Scandrett says. Ambient music or drone music can work well for this.

Tuning in to musical phasing brings benefits. “When we connect to melody and to musical phrasing, it can promote improvement in neural regulation, social behaviour and our overall quality of life,” Scandrett says. Pairing your breath with the different phrases of the music Story continued on page 28